Ferritin levels decreased despite iron supplement

[Amtired]

Hello

In November I did a Monitor My Health Anaemia test, which showed:

HB133g/L (normal)

Ferritin 27ug/L (normal)

TSAT 18% (normal)

Active B12 47pmmol/L (normal)

Folate 20ug/L (normal)

In December my TSH at the GP was 1.01 (0.27 -4.2)

Monitor My Health was

TSH 1.19 (0.27-4.2)

FT4 17 )12 - 22)

FT3 4 (3.1-6.8)

I recently saw my GP who said he could not justify increasing my levothyroxine from 75mcg and wanted to check ferritin levels etc as they may be the cause of tiredness etc. The results show:

HB 128g/L (115 - 165)

Ferritin 23ug/L (30 - 400)

Serum Vit B12 1076 (180 -999)

Serum folate >20.0ug/L (3.89 - 26.8)

Vit D 98mmol/L (50 -174)

I have been taking nutritiongeeks iron energy + , every other day since October and daily since my November results. I have also increased my intake of iron rich, vegetarian foods. Whilst my B12 and folate levels have increased, my HB and ferritin seem to have decreased and I do not understand why.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

[helvella Administrator]

Ferritin testing can go up and down a bit anyway - between labs, between tests at the same lab.

But the product you are taking has only a modest iron content - 14 milligrams. Every other day, that is 7 milligrams a day. Despite you possibly absorbing better than without the ascorbic acid, that is still quite a low dose. I suspect it is simply not enough to restore iron levels which are low at an acceptable rate.

Iron Energy+

nutritiongeeks.co/products/...

helvella - Iron Document

This is a summary of what I have read up and found out about iron supplements over the past few years. I am not in any way medically trained. You are strongly encouraged to check every detail before making any decisions for yourself.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[Amtired in reply to helvella]

Thank you, will have a look

[HealthStarDust]

As helvella explained, results fluctuate between labs etc. Ferriten in particular can fluctuate due to inflammation, as well as menstrual periods for example.

With that said, on either result your Ferriten is, well pants and won’t be helping thyroid.

According to NICE guidelines, when Ferriten is below 30, iron deficiency is confirmed, although you are not anemic. It may be a good idea to start a prescribed iron supplement like Ferrosdose 305mg.

[Amtired in reply to HealthStarDust]

Oh interesting, I did have a cold when January blood test was taken. Will look into Ferrosdose. Thank you

[helvella Administrator in reply to Amtired]

HealthStarDust was, I think, referring to the rise in ferritin when suffering inflammation. But your result dropped.

FerroDose is just one named brand of Ferrous Fumarate. See here:

bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/ferro...

[HealthStarDust in reply to helvella]

Thank you for the elaboration. Yes, rise in ferritin when inflammation is present is what I was referring to. This would be a false rise  Amtired .

[HealthStarDust in reply to Amtired]

Ah! Now that’s interesting. I am not sure about ferritin levels, but certain when it comes to thyroid, a cold, stress, and a host of other things can affect results of thyroid tests.